Pittsburgh Poet

 

This week, The Wall Street Journal reported on Pittsburgh poet Billie Nardozzi (front page, below the fold).  I read it while riding the A train, loving the chance to learn about a quintessential Pittsburgher.

A bit of James R. Hagerty's story:

... His style is plain spoken, his inspirations diverse. He writes about anything from the comfort of a loyal dog to the pain caused by insensitive relatives. His verse tends to be low on angst. “I hate negativity,” says Mr. Nardozzi, who often writes his poems, longhand, on a lined legal notepad in his home office.

Some of his poems pay tribute to individuals. A recent one, for instance, is dedicated to Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto:

He’s great for this city

And he’s what we have needed

And his ideas for change

Should always be heeded

Mayor Peduto said he has a framed copy of the poem, mailed to him by Mr. Nardozzi, on his office wall. Representatives of the Queen of England, the Prince of Wales and Conan O’Brien all sent thank-you notes for poems dedicated to them.

Given his penchant for the Beatles, he once penned an ode to the people of the United Kingdom. That poem, called “The British,” reads, in part:

I think you’re the coolest people

Living on this earth

And honestly and seriously speaking

I really think it is there from birth

And you write the most beautiful songs

That I have ever heard in my life

For they speak of passionate love

Between a gentleman and his wife

Many of his poems are published online by the Arkansas Free Press, which welcomes contributions but doesn’t pay for them. “Billie is our most prolific writer,” said Tracy Crain, editor of the Free Press. “He has a very tender heart, and he really has a need to share.” ...

For more, check out this Tumblr page dedicated to Billie's poems.

In Memoriam: Stefan Schack, 1972 - 2014

Back in my single days, I dated four people who had birthdays during this middle week of January.  I always wondered what it was that attracted these mid-winter babies to a summer person like me.

One of these old flames was Stefan Schack, whose birthday was today (January 16).  Sadly, this was a birthday that Stefan did not live to see.  He passed away on July 29, 2014.

Stefan had a beautiful, deep voice.  He was a man with devoted friends.  And, he had a keen photographer's eye.  (His Instagram account is a wonderful tribute to his love for architecture and the places he visited.)

Via Facebook, I still can read the messages that Stefan and I exchanged.  After Eric and I announced our engagement, he was so gracious, writing, "Hey stranger - heard you are getting married!  Just wanted to say congratulations - wish you the best ... "

I pray that you are resting in peace, Stefan.  The world is less for your early passing.

And, "Happy Birthday!" one last time.

Haul Out The Holly

It's that time of year.

For a "YouTube clip for a peaceful weekend," here is Angela Lansbury and friends singing "We Need a Little Christmas" as it was first heard in the 1966 musical "Mame."

Peace:



Hat-tip: Rev. Gerardo Ramirez, who made mention of this tune yesterday on Facebook.

Guadalupe's Day

Many months ago, I spied this Instagram photo (snapped by our friend James) showing a statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Thought I'd share it for today's feast day:

Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.

Uncle Joe's Centennial

My great-great uncle, Joseph Berger, was born 100 years ago today on December 10, 1914, in McDonald, Pennsylvania.

Uncle Joe was the youngest sibling of my maternal great-grandmother, Mary Berger Vincenti (1911 - 1999).  He died in 2012 at the age of 97, making him the longest-lived member of my family.

At the time of Uncle Joe's 95th birthday in 2009, I penned a post on his life.  Among other details, it notes he was the son of immigrants from Belgium.

It was through Uncle Joe and Grandma Vincenti and their sister, Ann Berger Barrick, that my generation received a sliver of connection to that immigrant history (including a delicious recipe for thick Belgian galettes).

Here's to keeping their memory alive for many years to come.

Sweet, Sweet Spirit

On Friday night, Eric and I saw an excellent performance of the play "Sweet, Sweet Spirit" presented by Manhattan Theater Works at the 14th Street Y.  Written by Carol Carpenter, it's the story of a Texas family grappling with violence, faith, sexuality, money and more.

The play briefly incorporates the hymn of the same name.  As you might expect, the tune has been in my head ever since (notably memories of the bass part that I once sang in a choral performance).

So, for some Monday morning inspiration, here is a dynamic rendition of "Sweet, Sweet Spirit" by the a cappella quartet For You:



Hat-tip: Our friend, Ann Marie Yali, who is chair of Manhattan Theater Works' board.

Smooth as Silk

One hundred years ago today, the great singer and bandleader Billy Eckstine was born in Pittsburgh.

In a segment marking the centennial, National Public Radio called him "a crooner who crossed barriers."

"Billy Eckstine was smooth as silk. He was tall and handsome, sported a pencil-thin mustache and sang in a distinctive baritone," remarked NPR's Tom Vitale.

In honor of the day, here is Eckstine with Nat King Cole performing "Rosetta":

Hat-tip: 100 Years Ago Today at Twitter (curated by yours truly)

Lively

A sunny Easter Monday calls for joyful music.  Here, compliments of Voices of Music, is the lively Bulgarian folk tune "Bučimiš"("бучиниш"):

Hat-tip: 500 Years Ago Today (new Twitter account curated by yours truly)

A Good Story

I love this commercial from Thailand.  It contains a wonderful, life-affirming message:

"No one saves oneself. The community is essential." - Pope Francis

Hat-tip: Heather K.

Quis dabit oculis

For this week's "YouTube clip for a peaceful weekend," below is Costanzo Festa's beautiful and contemplative motet "Quis dabit oculis" (written in early 1514).  I think it lends itself well to the home stretch of Lent.

Pax:



Hat-tip: 500 Years Ago Today (a new Twitter account curated by yours truly)

Not Gonna Die

A Monday morning jump-start from Skillet:

Hat-tip: Anthony

It Goes Without Saying

I recently have begun to explore the music of Nico Muhly.  His Wikipedia profile describes him as a contemporary classical music composer and arranger.  Two loaded words there: "contemporary" and "classical."  I aspire to one day have the time and talent to properly unpack them.  But, before then, let's listen to one of Muhly's works in this space.

Below is the instrumental composition "It Goes Without Saying" for this week's "YouTube clip for a peaceful weekend."  It's a clarinet piece featuring "metallic noises" (including that of a kitchen whisk) and "warm, woody sounds."  It's a stretch to call this tune "peaceful" but it's a fun ride.

Pax:

A Million Miles Away

I love the pacing and peacefulness of "The Moon Song" from the movie "Her."  It speaks well of the quiet and tender moments of love that can be shared by two people.

Here it is below for this week's "YouTube clip for a peaceful weekend."

Peace:



Here are the tune's lyrics from the pens of Karen O and Spike Jonze:

"I'm lying on the moon
My dear, I'll be there soon
It's a quiet starry place
Time's we're swallowed up
In space we're here a million miles away

"There's things I wish I knew
There's no thing I'd keep from you
It's a dark and shiny place
But with you my dear
I'm safe and we're a million miles away

"We're lying on the moon
It's a perfect afternoon
Your shadow follows me all day
Making sure that I'm okay and
We're a million miles away"

Ever By Your Side

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

From the great John Rutter, a rather Irish-sounding blessing for the day:

Flashback: St. Paddy's 2010

Emma Claire

Earlier today, my friends John and Allison Welch welcomed their third daughter into the world.  Emma Claire (pictured at right) weighed in at six pounds, 10 ounces.

She is a new sister for Molly and Nora.

Welcome to the party, little Emma!  I know the Holy Spirit will be your guide.

Emma is the second of four babies to be born to friends this year.  I have been remiss in noting the January 22 birth of Catherine Bridget Woods Dionisio ("Bridie"), the daughter of our church pals Nik and Katie.  In the late spring, my college buddy Alicia and her husband Mario are expecting their firstborn. My old friend Kelvin and his wife Courtney are expecting their second child this year, too.

Thanks heavens for this bumper crop!  Cue Maurice Chevalier:

Requiem for Two

On Monday afternoon, I attended the funeral Mass of Bill Penna.  Bill died February 12 at the age of 54 following a battle with cancer.  He was a member of a political organization in which I am active.  The Mass was beautifully celebrated at St. Catherine of Siena Church on New York City's Upper East Side by Fr. Jordon Kelly, O.P. (who I know from my old gig).

Bill's funeral began with a talented schola singing the Introit and Kyrie from the Requiem Mass composed by Maurice Duruflé.  Circa 1994 - 1995, I sang this powerful piece as a member of the NYU Choral Arts Society.  It's one you never forget.  I later asked Fr. Jordan if there is an ensemble of singers at every funeral at St. Catherine's.  "No," he replied, the schola and classical selections had been requested by Bill prior to his death.

On Tuesday morning, at St. Columbkille Church in the village of Imperial in Western Pennsylvania, a funeral Mass was celebrated for Helen Kramer.  Helen, who died February 13 at the age of 86, was the mother of my Aunt Kay and grandmother of my cousins Amy, Luke, Sara, Mary Ellen and Ben.  I was sorry I was not able to be present to help celebrate the long life of this wonderful woman who was so dedicated to her family and community.

In memory of Bill and Helen, below is the Duruflé Reqieum for this week's "YouTube clip for a peaceful weekend."  We pray that they are now in God's loving embrace.

Peace:

Obliteration of a Time-Stream

A good point from Ta-Nehisi Coates:

" ... I think of dying at 17, in my loudness, in my vanity, which is to say in my human youth, and I tremble. I was barely anything. I understood barely anything. When Michael Dunn killed Jordan Davis, he obliterated a time-stream, devastated an open range of changes. And somewhere on that American jury, someone thought this was justice, someone believed in the voodoo of shotguns and teleportation. Michael Dunn killed a boy, and too robbed a man of his chance to be. ... "

The photo above is from here.

Napolean of the Stump

Americans today observe "Washington's Birthday" or, colloquially, "Presidents Day."  It's a day to honor the men who have served as our nation's chief executive.

To my mind, a good tune to mark this holiday is one by the band They Might Be Giants about our efficient 11th president, James K. Polk.  Check it out:

Hat-tip: Waldie, who put this on a mixed-tape for me way back when.

804 Kilometers

For this week's St. Valentine's Day edition of the "YouTube clip for a peaceful weekend," I thought I would return to the smooth sound of that young Irish trio of Glenn Murphy, Ronan Scolard and Óisín O'Callaghan. Here they are with a beautifully slow take on The Proclaimers' tune "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)."

Peace:



To my husband on our first married St. Valentine's Day:

" ...  And if I grow old, well, I know I'm gonna be

I'm gonna be the man who's growing old with you ... "

Orchids?

Humorous and spot-on, this column by Frank Bruni is one of the best commentaries that I've read on Michael Sam's news.

A great line: 

" ... When did the locker room become such a delicate ecosystem? Is it inhabited by athletes or orchids? ... "

Animal Crackers

Shirley Temple, one of the greatest child stars in the history of American cinema, died yesterday at the age of 85.  Her precocious portrayals brought joy to moviegoers during the Great Depression and the World War II years.  Later in life, she became involved in politics and served as a U.S. diplomat.

I remember watching Shirley Temple's movies with my maternal grandmother when they were shown on weekend morning television in the 1980s.  (I have grandma to thank for my knowledge of old movies.)

One of Shirley Temple's most memorable movies was 1935's "Curly Top."  Here from that classic is her performance of  "Animal Crackers in My Soup":

" ... In every bowl of soup I see
lions and tigers watching me
I make 'em jump right through a hoop
those animal crackers in my soup ... "

Gloom-buster

These last words from Isaiah 58 in yesterday's first reading at Mass stood out for me:

" ... if you bestow your bread on the hungry
 and satisfy the afflicted;
then light shall rise for you in the darkness,
and the gloom shall become for you like midday."

Giving can be a gloom-buster.  Something to remember.

February

February is my least favorite month -- for reasons obvious to any inhabitant of the American northeast.

But, I love the voice of Dar Williams.  And she has a lovely tune named after this godforsaken month.  Here it is below for this week's "YouTube clip for a peaceful weekend."

Peace:

Hat-tip: Anthony

Lives Within My Heart

As someone who still has "newlywed glow" in ample supply, I hesitate to post a melancholy tune about lost love.  But, I'm eager to share another offering from the young Irish trio of Glenn Murphy, Oisin O'Callaghan and Ronan Scolard.  Their slow style is enchanting.

So, for this week's "YouTube clip for a peaceful weekend," here are Murphy, O'Callaghan and Scolard with Randy Newman's "When Somebody Loved Me" that was first heard in the movie "Toy Story 2."

Peace:

In Memoriam: Charlotte McCreanor, 1945 - 2013

Since early 2007, when I moved back to New York City, I have found it difficult to stay connected with all of the friends I made during my years working in Western Pennsylvania politics.  This is especially true for those who do not participate in social media.  In fact, in a few recent Christmas cards, I felt compelled to write, "I'm sorry for being so lousy at keeping in touch."

Charlotte McCreanor was an exception to this.  One of the great volunteers of my State House races, Charlotte vigorously promoted my candidacy to her neighbors in Cross Creek Township near the village of Avella.  Charlotte spoke on my behalf outside her polling place each Election Day, attended events, donated funds and volunteered at my campaign booths at the county fair and community festivals.  In one instance, Charlotte made it possible for me to join her for lunch at the local senior center (where I danced the polka with some of the ladies).

After I moved back to New York, Charlotte called me every few weeks to check on me and provide updates on happenings back home.  I would tell Charlotte about my job and travels.  She would tell me her volunteer work at Washington Hospital and about changes in the lives of our common friends.

Charlotte's most recent calls in the summer and autumn of 2013 brought the bad news that she had been diagnosed with cancer.  According to her obituary, Charlotte died November 21.  I only learned of her death in the past fortnight.

I will miss Charlotte.  She was a good woman and a true friend.

May she rest in peace.

You Must Wander

Some excellent advice from Ta-Nehisi Coates:

" ... Never trust anyone posing as a tour guide. Learning things is hard. Do the work.

"Never trust that part of you that wants a tour guide. All of us are tempted by the Cliff-Notes. Decline them. Sometimes you must wander through The Louvre. ...

"Never try to look cool and learn something at the same time. You must have an awkward phase. All of us would like to skip that awkward phase. That is not how it works. Here is how it works: Get your ass in the water. ... "

The whole post is worth a read.

God's Megaphone

"God whispers to us in our pleasures,
speaks in our conscience,
but shouts in our pains:
it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world."
- C.S. Lewis

You're Broke

This has been one of the most challenging weeks in my 15 years of professional life.  It's been filled with deep sadness, rays of hope and growing community.  Crisis usually brings forth all of these things, I guess.

But, as the God Googler reminded us yesterday (quoting the Franciscan friar Richard Rohr):

"Life is hard.  Get over it."

This has been my first instance of great professional difficulty since the steady and I got married in June.  It's been such a help.  Whatever happens, I know someone else is sharing my life and we will get through any challenge together.  That knowledge brings great comfort.

Which brings me to the clip below.

For a "YouTube clip for a peaceful weekend," here are Glenn Murphy, Oisin O'Callaghan and Ronan Scolard with a beautifully slow take on The Rembrandt's "I'll Be There For You" (best known as the theme song of "Friends," of course).

Peace:

In Memoriam: Adella Vincenti, 1925 - 2013

Today is one of those now-rare days when I am literally “between the ‘Burgh and the city.”  I am typing this aboard Amtrak’s “Pennsylvanian.”  We left Downtown Pittsburgh at 7:30 a.m. and should arrive at New York’s Penn Station by 4:30 p.m.  It’s been a beautiful ride with the sun shining and many trees along the route showing their fall colors.

I was in Western Pennsylvania since Saturday for the funeral service and burial of my great-great aunt, Adella Vincenti, who passed away earlier last week at the age of 88 in her home in Burgettstown, PA.

Aunt Della, the window of my Uncle Remo, was a kind and good-hearted woman.  I will long remember her distinctive voice and belief in perseverance.  (When faced with challenging news, Aunt Della would often say with a sense of optimism, “Hey, what are you doing to do?”)

Before the steady and I got married in June, Aunt Della sent us a very nice card and wedding gift.  I’m ashamed that, due to our procrastination, she never saw a thank-you note from us.  It’s a lesson learned on my part.  I hope that, from a vantage point in heaven, Aunt Della knows how much I appreciated her gift and all of her acts of kindness.

May she rest in peace.

No Man

Food for thought:

" ... No man was ever remembered for what he kept. ... "

- attributed to Tim Noble in remarks by Daniel Lerner on Saturday, May 4, at the 11th annual Relay for Life at NYU

Blackbird Has Spoken

Earlier this week, the fiance and I were watching a rerun of "Pushing Daisies" (a series I missed when it aired a few years back).

At the end of this particular episode, the character played by Ellen Greene (famous as Audrey in "Little Shop of Horrors") sang the beautiful old hymn "Morning Has Broken."  It occurred to me her soft and sweet rendition would work perfectly as a long-overdue "YouTube clip for a peaceful weekend" in this space.

Peace:

2013

Happy New Year!

It's 2013.  How the hell did that happen?  The years go by in such a blur.

But, God-willing, 2013 should be memorable.  The steady and I are planning a wedding for June in Gotham.

The Los Angeles-based author and blogger Heather King writes beautifully about the passage of time, holidays and the liturgical feasts.  In a post last week, she provided this food for thought:

" ... Just as an alcoholic spends ten, twenty, thirty years trying to re-create the transcendent sense of well-being that comes with that first drunk, some of us spend our whole lives hoping Christmas will feel, just once, the way it did when we were kids. It never happens. That's okay ...

" ... Christmas never feels the same, and yet we're still sad when it's over -- or I am."

Presence

Merry Christmas!

I'm writing this Christmas afternoon from the downstairs family room of the steady's parents' home on the Lake of the Woods in northeastern Indiana (near the towns of Hudson and Ashley).  We are in the midst of a mid-day rest before more family arrives in a few hours for dinner and gift-opening.

Like last year, it's been an ecumenical Christmas.  Last night, we went to the 11 p.m. cantata at the First United Methodist Church in Auburn, IN.  And, this morning, we went to the 9 a.m. Mass at Saint Mary of the Angels, a tiny Catholic church a short drive "just down the road."

Perhaps many people will remember Christmas 2012 in association with the awful tragedy that occurred earlier this month in Newtown, Connecticut.  I pray that the people of Newtown, especially the loved ones of the adults and children who were killed, are someday able to again regain peace of heart and mind.

In prayer:

"May your Presence, Prince of Peace,
bless the world with peace
the poor with care and prosperity,
the despairing with hope and confidence,
the grieving with comfort and gladness,
the oppressed with freedom and deliverance,
the suffering with solace and relief."

The image above is "Adoration of the Shepherds" created in 1831-1832 by Johann Michael Wittmer (1802-1880). It is the property of the Bavarian State Picture Collections in Munich, Germany.

Theotokos

For many Catholics, Mary, the mother of Jesus, will be on the brain frequently during the next five days.

Today (December 8), Catholics observe the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. On this day, we recall that God was preparing Mary to be the mother of Jesus even from her own creation in the womb. It's a reminder to us that God is preparing us for great things, too.

On Wednesday (December 12), the Church celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe -- the appearance of Mary in 1531 in Mexico to Saint Juan Diego.  Long one of the great days of the year for the Church in Mexico, this feast is now widely observed in the United States as well.

In all of human history, few (if any) individuals have been more frequently depicted in paintings and sculpture than Mary.  And, after working in Catholic publishing for nearly six years, I've seen many of these renderings.  But, this photo of a sculpture of Mary and child did recently catch my eye: 

I love the statue's simplicity and the way it fits so easily into this modern chapel in southern California.

The statue is a fine representation of the Church's understanding that Mary's role is bring Jesus forward.  It aligns well with the Orthodox and Eastern title of Mary: Theotokos or "God-bearer." 

This photo is by Sister Rose Pacatte, FSP.

Flashback: "Bookends"

In Memoriam: Sam Amorose, 1921 - 2012

One of Southwestern Pennsylvania's great old-timers has finished the race.

Sam Amorose of Canonsburg, PA, died Sunday, September 30, at the age of 91.  He was a union leader, political activist and World War II veteran.

I came to know Sam in the late 1990s when I was a staff writer at the Observer-Reporter in Washington, PA.  I wrote a profile of him for the O-R's front page and covered his lobbying efforts with the United Labor Committee of Washington County.  Our paths continued to cross after I entered politics.

It's probably fitting that Sam died in the midst of a heated presidential race.  He loved politics at all levels of government.  Sam was a strong Democrat but he never gave a pass to an official or candidate of any party who was neglected the interests of working people, veterans and senior citizens.

If just 10 percent of the American people became 10 percent as politically aware and active as Sam was his entire life, we would have a radically different (and probably better) country.

This Christmas, I will miss my annual card from Sam.  May he rest in peace.

In Memoriam: Julie Uram, 1925 - 2012

When I think back on the years I spent working in Western Pennsylvania politics, there are a handful of great personalities who stand out.  Julie Uram, who died Friday at the age of 87, is certainly among them.

Simply put, Julie was a dynamo.  Her obituary details the numerous charitable, religious and political organizations strengthened by her fundraising acumen and gift for building relationships.  To paraphrase Blessed John Henry Newman, Julie was "a link in the chain, a bond of connection between persons."

I became acquainted with Julie through the Washington County Republican Party, an organization dear to her.  I will long remember the wonderful holiday parties she hosted at her beautiful and unique home (and the gigantic live Christmas tree that dominated her high-ceiling living room).

Julie understood the importance of local politics.  She knew that meaningful support for a candidate begins in neighborhoods and among families and groups of friends.  (She was a seasoned practitioner of the phone tree.)

Julie's drive and dedication were an inspiration to me and many others.  Her leadership and presence will be missed.

From the prayers at the conclusion of the funeral Mass:

Julie,

May the angels lead you into paradise,
may the martyrs come to welcome you,
and take you to the holy city,
the new and eternal Jerusalem.

The photo above is from the Post-Gazette.

In Memoriam: Aunt Rosanna, 1916 - 2012

My great aunt, Rosanna Snatchko Edwards Pancirov, passed away Saturday, May 19, at the age of 95.  She died at her home in Midway, Pennsylvania.

Aunt Rosanna was an elder sister to my late paternal grandfather, George.  For many years, she had been "the oldest living Snatchko."

In the photo at right, Aunt Rosanna is the little girl in the white dress.  That's her mother, Anna Kargle Snatchko, in the black hat.  Anna and her husband, Charles, raised 15 children on Champion Hill in the small village of Sturgeon, PA.  To provide for his large family, Charles sold fruits and vegetables house-to-house.

Knowing Aunt Rosanna was a great blessing in my life.   She was an optimistic and cheerful woman, always sharing the funny anecdotes of life.  She had a tremendous love for her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews, friends and co-workers.

Aunt Rosanna also had energy to rival someone half her age.  Into her late 80s, she worked at a part-time job at Thomas & Little Funeral Home.  Until a few years ago, she also drove a sharp new-model Volkswagen Beetle (bright blue in color).

A dedicated Christian, Aunt Rosanna was a member for most of her life at Noblestown Presbyterian Church. 

It's my prayer that she is now in heaven in the warm embrace of God.  While her passing is currently a source of sadness, her long life should be a cause for thanksgiving and joy.

To close, another photo below: Aunt Rosanna (second from left) is pictured with her surviving sister, Dorothy Leonard (far left), her mother and her late sister, Lorraine Dewey (far right):

Fire is Low

It's a beautiful spring Saturday afternoon here in New York City -- sunny and warm.  The day calls for a joyful "YouTube clip for a peaceful weekend."

 So, below is "Fire is Low" by the South African band Freshly Ground.

Peace:



Hat-tip: Mercy Daramola, an NYU graduate student who I had the pleasure of meeting Thursday afternoon at the Plaza Hotel during the NYU Alumni Association's annual awards luncheon.  Mercy posted this tune to her blog.

Risen Today

Happy Easter!

A belated "YouTube clip for a peaceful weekend" to mark the day:



For Easter reflections, visit the God Googler, Concord Pastor and Deacon Greg.

Upraised in Prayer

It is Good Friday morning.

From the archives of the Brooklyn Museum of Art, here is a rendering by James Tissot (1836-1902) of "Good Friday Morning: Jesus in Prison" or "Le matin Vendredi Saint: Jésus en prison":

The museum's description states:

"In a subject that he characterizes as 'rarely, if ever, treated,' Tissot paints Jesus in prison — bound to a stone post, his hands chained but upraised in prayer. The artist notes the white light shining down, a further indication of the early hour on Good Friday. While Jesus prays, his guards, wearing armor, slump over in pre-dawn slumber."

Under the Arch

Yesterday evening, I attended the 100th anniversary party for NYU Journalism at the institute's swanky new-ish digs at 20 Cooper Square.  It was great catching up with Professor Pamela Newkirk, who taught several of my journalism courses at NYU ('94 to '98).  I also was pleased to speak for a few minutes with Professor Jay Rosen whose engagement on Twitter I admire.

After the party, en route on foot to the A train entrance at West 8th Street, I spent a few minutes listening to this cellist playing underneath the Washington Square Arch:

He Who Comes

For Western Christians, tomorrow is Palm Sunday, the first day of Holy Week.

At the beginning of Mass, the suggested antiphon echoes the words of the crowds in the Gospel of Matthew 21: 9:

"Hosanna to the Son of David;
blessed is he who comes
in the name of the Lord,
the King of Israel.
Hosanna in the highest"

The Englishman Orlando Gibbons (1583-1625) was one of multiple composers through the centuries to put this verse to music.  For this week's "YouTube clip for a peaceful weekend," here is Chanticleer with that beautiful setting.

Peace:

So They Say

This week, I've listened several times to Morten Lauridsen's composition "Dirait-On" from his cycle "Les Chansons Des Roses" ("Songs of Roses"). The French lyrics are from a poem by Rainer Maria Rilke (1875-1926).

At his website, Lauridsen states that "Dirait-On," "is composed as a tuneful chanson populaire, or folksong, that weaves together two melodic ideas first heard in fragmentary form in preceding movements."

For this week's "YouTube clip for a peaceful weekend," here is this beautiful, enchanting piece.

Paix:
  
From here, a non-literal English translation of the lyrics:

"Abandon enveloping abandon,
Tenderness brushing tendernesses,
Who you are sustains you
eternally, so they say;

"Your very being is nourished
by its own enlightened reflection;
so you compose the theme
of Narcissus redeemed."

R.I.P., Etta James

The great singer Etta James died yesterday at the age of 73.

Etta's wonderful voice has been featured in this space before.  One Sunday night in March, 2010, shortly before I met the steady, I posted her rendition of the beautiful song of longing "A Sunday Kind of Love."

For this week's "YouTube clip for a peaceful weekend," here again is Etta with her take on the 1930s tune "These Foolish Things (Remind Me of You)."  

Peace:

2012

Happy New Year 2012!

May it be a year filled with peace and joy the world over.

Lena

As most of my political expression this past year moved to Facebook and Twitter, the (too infrequent) posts on this blog were often about milestones in the lives of family members and friends.  I do appreciate the opportunity this space affords to both welcome and say goodbye.

I have been remiss, however, in issuing one welcome.  And, it seems that celebrating a new life would be a fine topic for this final post of 2011.

Lena, pictured above, was born November 26 at 10:19 a.m., weighing in at seven pounds, two ounces.  She is the daughter of my old NYU friends, Tim and Melissa, and a sister for Ann.

Like yours truly, these "Firework Babies" will often find themselves "between the 'Burgh and the City" as their mom grew up in Bethel Park, PA, and their maternal grandparents still live there.

In mid-January, I will have the honor of serving as Lena's Godfather.  She will be my fourth Goddaughter (joining Georgianna, Nora and Lucy).  United by prayer despite being half a world away, Waldie will be serving as Lena's Godmother.  Just a few days ago, Waldie and her husband, Chris, arrived in Tanzania in East Africa.  They will live and work there for three-plus years as  Maryknoll Lay Missioners.

Welcome to the party, Lena!  May God abundantly bless you with many, many wonderful New Years.

The Jackpot Question

Another New Year's Eve. The steady has a bit of a cold so we're staying in. Which is just fine. At the moment, we're both checking e-mail and surfing the Internet while watching "Julie & Julia" on TV. (A movie about food and blogging set in New York City and Paris -- LOVE it.)

It's time to post my final "YouTube clip for a peaceful weekend" of 2011. Would you object, gentle reader, if I opted for the obvious?

Here with Frank Loeser's "What Are You Doing on New Year's Eve?" are Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

Peace:

O Great Mystery

"O Magnum Mysterium" is a traditional prayer of the Church at Christmas. One English translation reads:

O great mystery,

and wonderful sacrament,

that animals should see the new-born Lord,

lying in a manger!

Blessed is the Virgin whose womb was worthy

to bear Christ the Lord.

Alleluia!

A living American composer who has set the prayer to music is Morten Lauridsen. For a belated "YouTube clip for a peaceful weekend," below is his beautiful offering.

Pax:

Incarnation

Merry Christmas!!

Like so many Christmas mornings of my life, I'm up while the rest of the house is still quiet. My inner seven-year-old is curious to see if Santa came, I guess.

But, unlike the Christmas mornings of my past, today I find myself in Auburn, Indiana, at the home of the steady's parents. It's a blessed first. I arrived here yesterday at 6:45 a.m. on the Amtrak train from Pittsburgh (where I had been visiting with my family for few days).

Last night, we went to the 11 p.m. service at the First United Methodist Church. It was quite nice. And, we'll soon head out for the 10:30 a.m. Mass at Immaculate Conception Church. (See: Ecumenism in necessary practice.)

Over at Dating God, Br. Dan has posted a reflection called "Christmas is Not a Holiday…It’s a Game-Changer!"  Here are two snips to ponder:

" ... Christmas marks the most important moment in Salvation History -- the Incarnation, the coming of the Lord, the birth of a child who reveals to us the unseen God, makes visible the invisible and shows us that God's Reign unfolds in the making of the impossible possible!

" ... with God's entrance into the world as one like us, the game has totally changed. Jesus Christ is the game-changer par excellence! The way that humanity related to God previously had become outdated and finally recognized as imperfect, because, whereas once we were able to know about God, now we can personally know God."

Flashback: Christmas 2009 and 2008

The image above is "The Adoration of the Shepherds" or "L'adoration des bergers" by James Tissot. It is the property of the Brooklyn Museum of Art.

Celebrating Guadalupe

For Catholics, today (December 12) is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. To help celebrate the day, here is a photo of Texas-based artist Federico Archuleta's contemporary take on the miraculous Guadalupe image:

Adelaide

Last Monday, November 21, my old friend, Heidi Price Brayer, and her husband, Paul, welcomed their baby daughter into the world.

Adelaide Erica, pictured, weighed in at 8 pounds, 7 ounces. She was 21.5 inches long.

Welcome to the party, little lady!  May God abundantly bless all your days.

In the late '90s, Heidi and I worked together as staff writers at the Observer-Reporter in Washington, PA (my first job out of college). In fact, my first day on the beat, it was Heidi who showed me how to do the evening checks with the local police departments. We've been friends ever since. I have no doubt daughter will be as awesome as mother.

To help celebrate this new arrival, here's Frank Sinatra with a song devoted to another awesome Adelaide, from the Broadway classic "Guys and Dolls":


Guys & Dolls - "Ever Loving Adelaide" - Frank Sinatra from Matt Perri on Vimeo.

Learning Glass

We recently attended a performance of Philip Glass' 1979-1980 opera "Satyagraha" at the Metropolitan Opera.  Powerful and challenging, it has stirred my interest in Glass and his work.  So, earlier tonight, I poked around YouTube to hear more.

It's good to share, right?

For a belated "YouTube clip for a peaceful weekend," below is a beautiful composition by Glass for the film "The Hours."

Peace:

A Year in New York

A love letter (in video and with song) to Gotham:

A Year in New York from Andrew Clancy on Vimeo.

In Memoriam: Ray Vincenti, 1916 - 2011

I’m writing today while literally “between the ‘burgh and the city.”  I’m on Amtrak’s “Pennsylvanian” from New York’s Penn Station to Downtown Pittsburgh.  At the moment, we are in the woods west of Harrisburg.

I opted for taking the train over flying mostly because of cost. With only a day of lead time, the train was significantly less expensive than a flight on USAirways, JetBlue and the other airlines. Plus, the long train ride across southern Pennsylvania is providing some beautiful views of the fall foliage.

I’m headed to Western Pennsylvania for the funeral of my great-great uncle, Ray Vincenti (pictured).  “Uncle Remo” died Wednesday morning at the age of 95. He was the youngest brother of my maternal great-grandfather, Joseph Vincenti (1908-1983).

Grandpap Vincenti and Uncle Remo’s parents, Dominick and Catherine Vicari Vincenti, immigrated to the United States around 1900.  Dominick originated in northern Italy and Catherine from Austria (although, I believe she too had northern Italian heritage).  Dominic and Catherine had five children in total, four sons and one daughter. Dominic was killed in 1937 in a coal mining accident.

With Uncle Remo’s passing, my family loses one of our last connections to these immigrant ancestors who made the brave decision to come to the United States.

When I ran for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2002, 2004 and 2006, Uncle Remo was a strong supporter. In the 2002 race, he spent the day of the general election speaking on my behalf outside his polling place in the village of Eldersville in Jefferson Township. (We won that precinct that day, too.)

In 2006, Uncle Remo also came to my aid when an opponent issued a piece of literature claiming to be “the only proud Italian” in the race. To help set the record straight, Uncle Remo went with me to a dinner at the Italian Club in the village of Muse in Cecil Township.

He was a good and kind man, and will be missed.  Please keep his wife of 61 years, Della; his daughter, Cathie; his son-in-law, Ken; and his two grandchildren in your prayers.

From the prayers at the end of the funeral Mass:

Uncle Remo,

May the angels lead you into paradise,
may the martyrs come to welcome you,
and take you to the holy city,
the new and eternal Jerusalem.

The photo above is by Ken Havelka.

The Most Mysterious Heart

Some food for thought:

“The greatest enigma of man is his heart. It is so magnificent that God competes for it. So powerful that it can resist the love of the Almighty. So frail that many a weakness may snare it in its net. So wild that it may destroy all happiness and all order. So faithful that it cannot be subverted even by infidelity. So naive that it succumbs to every sweet temptation. Of such great capacity that it can contain every contradiction. And all this — almost — in every man, and all this — almost — in the wink of an eye. But man is a hundred times more grand, because he is capable of ruling it. And God? He alone knows the routes into the most mysterious heart. That is why man opened the Heart of God on the cross to learn about His plans.”

— Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski (1901 - 1981), from the book “A Freedom Within: The Prison Notes of Stefan Cardinal Wyszynski”

Hat-tip: John Wilson

Kol Nidre

For the Jewish people, today is Yom Kippur or the Day of Atonement.

To honor of the day, this week's "YouTube clip for a peaceful weekend" features an instrumental setting of  Kol Nidre.

A hat-tip to the Concord Pastor for leading me to this particular composition by Max Bruch.

Shalom: